The University of Ilorin has resettled the Fulani herdsmen living on the University land in a new settlement outside the institution.
According to the University Bulletin, on Monday, the institution is committed to conflict resolution and peaceful co-existence between the Fulani herdsmen and the institution.
It noted that the action taken was to make good the University’s pledge to resettle the herders.
It added that the University had commenced the building of a modern primary school and sinking of a borehole at the new Fulani settlement near Okunle Village, Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara.
It disclosed that the two projects commenced on Wednesday January 9.
The publication quoted the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, as saying “the process of relocating the Fulani herdsmen from the University land was initiated by one of his predecessors.
It said: “The Vice-Chancellor stated that he was only actualising a plan that had been in the pipeline.
“Abdulkareem thanked the Okunle and Orioke communities for releasing five hectares of their land for the Fulani resettlement exercise.”
The vice chancellor expressed his resolve in living amicably with the Fulani herdsmen as neighbours, saying: “we still want the Fulani to be our neighbours but they cannot illegally occupy government land.
He added: “We are, however, your partner in progress and we will still continue our relationship with you.”
The vice chancellor encouraged the Fulani herdsmen to patronise the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University from time to time.
He promised that the primary school, when completed, would provide quality teaching to the children of the Fulanis and their neighbours, adding that teachers from the University would be assigned to teach there.
He said: “The vice-chancellor thanked the University Council for graciously approving the cost of the resettlement and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, for his mediating role and likewise the community leaders for their understanding and cooperation.”
He called on the Fulanis to preach the spirit of togetherness as their children interact with other children in the community, while praying God to reward everyone who had made such landmark occasion possible.
The Publication also quoted the Emir of Ilorin, as advising the herdsmen to “be peaceful and law-abiding.
The monarch warned that there should be no report of any wrongdoing or violence from their camp.
He said: “The Emir pointed out that the University of Ilorin had gone through much stress and commitment to ensure that the Fulanis were successfully resettled.”
He added that several meetings were held with the community leaders and the stakeholders to ensure the success of this resettlement.
He said: “The University had fulfilled its own side of the agreement by drilling a borehole in the community aside from the one being drilled in the Fulani settlement.”
Also, the Director-General of the Kwara State Bureau of Lands, Alhaji Ibrahim Salman, pleaded with the community to accept the Fulani and live in peace with them.
He said: “Salman commended the University of Ilorin for putting up a standard school for the herdsmen and the promise to provide quality teachers from the University to teach in the school.”
He added that the school belonged to the community as well as the Fulani who newly resettled there.
Trending
- Traditional ruler shot dead inside palace
- Primate Ayodele to Yoruba Nation agitators: You can’t break Nigeria
- Police intercept bags of Indian Hemp at Lagos jetty
- Enugu, families to give Ibu, Junior Pope befitting burial
- Police arrest suspects for attempting to disrupt inauguration of commissioners
- Police rescue three children locked up by grandmother + Photo
- Police foil attack in Katsina, neutralise suspected bandit
- US vetoes Palestine’s request for full UN membership